Craters, waterlogging are all that’s there to Millers Road

Crater-like potholes are yet to be filled up, continue posing danger to motorists.

Owing to potholes and stagnated water, Millers Road and the underpass near Cantonment railway station are any motorist’s nightmare.

It is advisable to take alternative routes to the railway station as the main road is nothing short of an obstacle course. The BBMP has announced that it has allocated crores of rupees for filling up potholes on various roads in the city. Recently, mayor D Venkatesh Murthy launched the pothole-filling programme at Chalukya Circle with much fanfare. However, BBMP authorities are yet to take measures to fill up potholes on Millers Road, which is an important road for people coming from Vasanthnagar and Shivajinagar and going towards Bishop’s House, Nandidurga Road, Benson Town and other areas.

The potholes on Millers Road—especially those in front of railway offices—are crater-like and dangerous for motorisits, particularly two-wheeler riders, at night.

“The BBMP has issued statements on its much-hyped pothole filling programme. It has taken up the work on such roads that are being used by important people. I think they are not bothered about the potholes on Millers Road,” said Syed Hussain, a businessman.

Echoing the opinion on the negligence of the BBMP authorities in filling up the potholes, Munirathna Naidu from Vasanthnagar, said the area is represented by none other than MK Gunasekhar, the leader of the opposition in the BBMP council.

“Gunasekhar has been busy in criticising the BBMP commissioner and other officials for not taking up development works but unfortunately he has no time to address the grievances of people from his constituency,” said Naidu.

Inundated underpass
The other stretch on Millers Road that gives nightmares to two-wheeler riders is the underpass near Cantonment railway station. The health department officials of the BBMP have been advising Bangaloreans not to stock water and keep their surroundings free from stagnated water to prevent the spread of dengue. However, the officials have not visited the underpass that is inundated with ankle-deep water.

Here, two-wheeler riders have to wait till other vehicles cross the underpass to avoid splashing of muddy water on their clothes. “I have to depend on this underpass to reach Nandidurga Road. I have to wade through ankle-deep water. I want the authorities concerned to take measures immediately to drain out water as early as possible,” said Shanmugam from a nearby slum.

Water is seen overflowing from the adjacent drain that was choked with garbage and silt.
Gunasekhar, corporator of Jayamahal Ward, has assured that the authorities would take up pothole-filling work within a few days. “I have directed the executive engineer and others to take up the filling up of potholes as early as possible. The work will be taken up shortly,” he said.
On stagnation of water at the underpass, Gunasekhar said the BBMP has decided to float tenders inviting bidders to take up drain work. “It seems there is no provision to drain out water at the underpass. I will visit the spot tomorrow (on Monday) and direct the BBMP engineers to do the needful,” he said.